Colorado River, April 14 report

ARIZONA FISHING REPORTS: The Arizona Game and Fish Department compiles a weekly report for most waters in the state, including the Colorado Rivers. Anglers can read the report at this direct link: azgfd.net/artman/publish/FishingReport/.

TOP NEWS: The largemouth bass bite is pretty much wide open. The best action has been in the lower river (below Havasu) backwaters and margins of the main river as the fish move into the spawn. Anglers have been reporting 20 to 30 fish days. The bite is best on plastic worms, nightcrawlers, and some reaction baits for the largemouths. Topoc Marsh has also been good. The smallmouth bass in the lower river have also been best along the rip-rap from Parker Dam to Palo Verde. Most are showing on crawdad-like jigs or crank baits. Cibola Lake has stayed just fair with a lot of bass on beds. Water level is so high that most of the fish are back in the tules and inaccessible. Havasu and Mohave bites have also really turned on in the past week and the action is very good. Second best has been the striper action in Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu, with a fair number of fish in the river between the two. Mohave still has been the best bite, but the action is just fair overall. In Lake Mohave, the fish are showing in the mouths of coves and off points from Katherine’s Landing to the dam. Most are 1-3 pounders, but there are 8-15 pounders in this action. In Havasu, the bite is also in the southern end of the lake, mostly on cut baits in deep water. Some stripers are also showing below Davis Dam in the river around Bullhead City. Trout action remains fair in the Davis Camp and Rotary Park areas, but a plant next week should perk this action. Most of the rainbows are pan-sized, but some to three pounds. Small spinners or spoons have been the best baits. The flathead catfish bite is finally starting to take off in the lower river, backwaters, and irrigation ditches. The bite has been pretty hot on live bluegill, goldfish, or tilapia. Lots of 20-pound class fish being reported.